VALDOSTA — ’Tis nearly the season to share the Christmas cheer.

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, preparations for the festivities are beginning to take place around town.

– From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, the animal rescue non-profit BARC Humane Society of Valdosta will host a Christmas wreath-making class at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in the youth assembly room.

Ribbon and embellishment materials will be available and proceeds will go to BARC, according to the group’s Facebook page.

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased through eventbrite.com; Park Avenue UMC is located at 100 E. Park Ave.

– For people who enjoy holiday traditions, there will be a city Christmas tree lighting ceremony that will commence at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 1, at City Hall, 300 N. Lee St.

Mayor John Gayle is set to give a speech, and Santa Claus will also make an appearance, according to Valdosta Main Street.

– City events will continue with the Christmas parade, 5-7 p.m., Dec. 2, starting at Woodrow Wilson Drive and ending at the Department of Health, according to Valdosta Main Street.

Overall appearance, special effects, creativity, workmanship and use of the theme are part of the judging criteria for the participating floats, Valdosta Main Street said.

For information about the lighting or the parade, contact Valdosta Main Street at (229) 259-3577.

– Santa will make his way to the Urban Garden for holiday wishes from 10 a.m.-noon, Dec. 2. The Urban Garden is an open-air plant market and is located at 102 N. Ashley St., according to organizers.

– Also on Santa’s schedule is a visit to Valdosta Mall for “Santa Cares” from 9-11 a.m., Dec. 3, though he is presently available for photos and will continue to be available through December. Packages can be purchased.

During “Santa Cares,” the sensor-friendly Santa will welcome children with special needs to share their wishes and take photos before the mall opens its doors for regular business hours, according to CBL Properties.

The free event is in partnership with Autism Speaks, and families can make time reservations at shopvaldostamall.com/event.

– At 7 p.m., Dec. 3 and Dec. 4, Crossroads Baptist Church will host two nights of worship with “Christmas Makes Everything New.”

The reception will consist of homemade cookies, wassail and a Christmas setting which visitors can use to set the scene for photos. Carolers will be in attendance, according to Crossroads.

Childcare will be provided for children ages 3 and under.

Reservations were full for Dec. 3, but there are openings for Dec. 4, and reservations can be made on crossroadsbaptist.com.

– Tickets will go on sale Nov. 23 for the Theatre Guild Valdosta’s “A Christmas Spectacular at The Dosta,” 122 N. Ashley St., and can be purchased at theatreguildvaldosta.com.

Show times and dates include 7:30 p.m., Dec. 7-8; 2 p.m. Dec. 9, and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14-16.

Actors, singers and instrumentalists will be featured to create a Winter Wonderland setting, according to the Theatre Guild.

– Families are encouraged to spread out Dec. 8 on the lawn behind the Historic Lowndes County Courthouse on Valley Street to watch “Arthur Christmas.”

The animated movie will begin 6 p.m. Popcorn will be available and attendance is free.

– Jessie’s Restaurant and Catering, 205 N. Ashley St., invites the community to a breakfast buffet, 9 a.m.-noon, Dec. 9, for “Breakfast with Santa.”

For children ages 2-12, tickets are $8, and for those ages 13 and up; tickets are $12.

Mimosas and bloody marys will be available for adults only.

– Have a Wild Adventures Christmas at the theme park beginning Dec. 9 through the month on select days.

Safari Santa will meet and greet visitors, and Mrs. Claus will be there to sit around the fire and toast s’mores with families, according to the theme park.

Park admission includes any Christmas event, and can be purchased on wildadventures.com.

For more information, visit wildadventures.com. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.